Silica Layer Research Articles

SOI Based metasurface for broadband perfect reflection in visible spectrum

We propose modeling and design of a low-loss all-dielectric metasurface (DM), comprised of Silicon on Insulator (SiO2) substrate to demonstrate a perfect reflector in the visible spectrum. The proposed metasurface unit cell consists of V and W shapes arranged in a mirror image configuration, with nanometre-sized gaps (g) between them. A narrow peak with a nearly 100% reflectance and a broad perfect reflectance spectrum is observed within the visible region (400–700 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. The effective electromagnetic parameters were also analyzed for electric and magnetic dipole resonance. The electric and magnetic field distributions at the resonant wavelength were also analyzed for the proposed structure. By altering the gap region ‘g’, the thickness of the dielectric Silica layer (ts ), and the Si resonator (t m), the proposed structure exhibits tunable characteristics. We have successfully illustrated the consistent position of the scattering parameter’s response, regardless of the structure’s rotation, concluding the homogeneity of the designed structure across the entire visible spectrum. The all-DM exhibits a unique combination of features, including a distinct and wide reflectance spectrum as well as a tuned and enhanced electric field which makes it an ideal platform for the applications in filters, color printing, low-loss slow-light devices, and nonlinear optics.

Silicon kerf loss as a potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries

In this work, industrially processed silicon kerf loss (abbreviated to silicon kerf) from the photovoltaic industry is assessed as an anode material for the lithium-ion battery (LIB). The study includes both a characterization of processed silicon kerf from different sources and a comparison with commercially available nano-sized silicon (40 and 100 nm) in electrochemical testing. Such a direct comparison between these two silicon types in electrochemical testing provides a new insight into silicon kerf as an anode material. The silicon kerf particles are flake-like with varying lengths, with a mean particle size (d50) measured to ∼700 nm and a dimension of thickness of a few tens of nanometers. However, the specific surface area ranging from 20 to 26 m2/g is comparable to that of a silicon material of size ∼100 nm. The silicon oxide layer surrounding the particles was measured to 1–2 nm in thickness and, therefore, is in a suitable range for the LIB. In terms of electrochemical performance, the silicon kerf is on par with the commercial nano-sized silicon, further supporting the size evaluation based on the specific surface area considerations. Initial discharge capacities in the range 700–750 mAh/g (close to the theoretical value for the 12 wt% Si mixture with graphite) and first cycle efficiencies of 86%–92% are obtained. The cycling stability is comparable between the two materials, although the differential voltage analysis (DVA) of the galvanostatic data reveals that only the silicon kerf samples maintain silicon activity beyond 120 cycles. This study shows that industrially processed silicon kerf has characteristics similar to nano-sized silicon without reducing the size of the silicon kerf particles themselves. Considering its low carbon footprint and potentially lower cost, it can thus be an attractive alternative to nano-sized silicon as an anode material for the LIB industry.

Striated composite layers of silica and hafnia offering advantageous properties for short-pulse optical coatings.

Monolayers containing subnanometer striations of silica and hafnia to form composite materials at varying ratios are explored as a method to develop high-index dielectric layers with increased laser-induced-damage thresholds (LIDTs). These layers can then be used in multilayer dielectric coatings for short-pulse, high-peak-power laser applications, particularly in regions of the highest electric-field intensity. Fabrication is achieved by means of exposure to two different evaporant vapor plumes, where local exposure to each plume is controlled via shielding to prevent simultaneous exposure. The LIDT of the resulting layers has been evaluated at 1053 nm with 600-fs pulses. The results indicate that such hafnia/silica layers exhibit LIDTs similar to silica for a refractive index of ≤1.65. These results suggest that the use of these layers in locations subjected to high electric-field intensity within multilayer dielectric coatings may significantly improve the LIDT, with this deposition process providing particular benefit for scaling to large-aperture, high-fluence components.

Molecular Layering of an Additive Layer of Silicon Dioxide on Anodized Tantalum and Niobium Oxides

Molecular Layering of an Additive Layer of Silicon Dioxide on Anodized Tantalum and Niobium Oxides

Natural Silicates Encapsulated Enzymes as Green Biocatalysts for Degradation of Pharmaceuticals.

Biocatalytic degradation with the use of enzymes has gained great attention in the past few years due to its advantages of high efficiency and environmental friendliness. Novel, cost-effective, and green nanoadsorbents were produced in this study, using natural silicates as an enzyme host matrix for core-shell immobilization technique. With the natural silicate as a core and silica layer as a shell, it was possible to encapsulate two different enzymes: horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and laccase, for removal and degradation of three pharmaceuticals: diclofenac (DFC), carbamazepine (CBZ), and paracetamol (PC). The biocatalysts demonstrated high oxidation rates for the selected pollutants. In particular HRP immobilized fly ash and perlite degraded DFC and PC completely during 3 days of interaction and also showed high degradation rates for CBZ. Immobilized laccase was successful in PC degradation, where up to 70-80% degradation of the compounds with aromatic rings was reported by NMR measurements for a high drug concentration of 10 μg/mL. The immobilization method played a significant role in this process by providing stability and protection for the enzymes over 3 weeks. Furthermore, the enzymes acted differently in the three chosen supports due to their complex chemical composition, which could have an effect on the overall enzyme activity.

Design of porous silicon /PECVD SiOx antireflection coatings for silicon solar cells

The meso-poreux porous silicon layer (PS) has become an interesting material owing to its potential applications in many fields including optoelectronics and photovoltaics. PS layers were grown on the front surface emitter n+ of n+ -p mono-crystalline Si junction. The thickness of the PS formed and the porosity were measured by an ellipsometer as a function of time duration of anodization, and the variation law of the PS growth kinetics is established. Single layers PS antireflection coating (ARC) achieved around 9% effective reflectivity in the wavelength range between 400 and 1000nm on junction n+ -p solar cells. To reduce the reflectivity and improve the stability and passivation properties of PS ARC, the design of PECVD oxide silicon layers were investigated. SiOx layers of thickness of 105nm deposited on PS ARC showed a decrease of ~3.8% in the effective reflectivity, compared to the single layer PS ARC, improve the reflectivity of 55%. Voc measurements were carried out on all the samples by suns-Voc method and showed an improvement of the quality of the passivation brought by the oxide layer. Using the experimental reflectivity results and taking into account the passivation quality of the samples, the PC1D simulations predict an enhancement of the photogenerated current exceeding 49%.

Creation of color centers in diamond by recoil implantation through dielectric films

The need of near-surface color centers in diamond for quantum technologies motivates the controlled doping of specific extrinsic impurities into the crystal lattice. Recent experiments have shown that this can be achieved by momentum transfer from a surface precursor via ion implantation, an approach known as “recoil implantation.” Here, we extend this technique to incorporate dielectric precursors for creating nitrogen-vacancy (NV) and silicon-vacancy (SiV) centers in diamond. Specifically, we demonstrate that gallium focused-ion-beam exposure to a thin layer of silicon nitride or silicon dioxide on the diamond surface results in the introduction of both extrinsic impurities and carbon vacancies. These defects subsequently give rise to near-surface NV and SiV centers with desirable properties after annealing.

Employing Piezoelectric Mg2+-Doped Hydroxyapatite to Target Death Receptor-Mediated Necroptosis: A Strategy for Amplifying Immune Activation.

Although immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers evidently enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy, their potential is increasingly restricted by the development of apoptosis resistance in tumor cells, poor immunogenicity, and low T-cell immune responsiveness. In this study, for the first time, piezoelectrically catalyzed Mg2+-doped hydroxyapatite (Mg-HAP) nanoparticles, which are coated with a mesoporous silica layer and loaded with ONC201 as an agonist to specifically target the death receptor DR5 on tumor cells, ultimately developing an Mg-HAP@MS/ONC201 nanoparticle (MHMO NP) system, are engineered. Owing to its excellent piezoelectric properties, MHMO facilitates the release of a significant amount of reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ within tumor cells, effectively promoting the upregulation of DR5 expression and inducing tumor cell necroptosis to ultimately overcome apoptosis resistance. Concurrently, Mg2+ released in the tumor microenvironment promotes CD8+ T receptor activation in response to the antitumor immune reaction induced by ICD. Using RNA-seq analysis, it is elucidated that MHMO can activate the NF-κB pathway under piezoelectric catalysis, thus inducing M1-type macrophage polarization. In summary, a dual-targeting therapy system that targets both tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment under piezoelectric catalysis is designed. This system holds substantial potential for advancements in tumor immunotherapy.

Extreme gradient boosting-enhanced molecularly imprinted fluorescence nanosensor for rapid identification and visual detection of deltamethrin in seawater and aquatic products

Deltamethrin (DEL), a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, may have long-term adverse effects on the aquatic environment. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) is a classic ensemble boosting algorithm framework known for its high training efficiency, strong prediction performance, and versatile applications. In this study, we successfully developed a highly sensitive molecularly imprinted fluorescence nanosensor (MF-sensor) for DEL determination, enhanced by the XGBoost algorithm. The MF-sensor was fabricated by grafting blue and red CdSe/ZnS quantum dots onto a molecularly imprinted silica layer. The MF-sensor consisted of blue-molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-quantum dots (QDs) and r-MIP-QDs, which selectively detected DEL, and unmodified green CdSe QDs, which were not selective for DEL. Under optimized conditions, we observed an excellent linear relationship between the I526/(I450 +I630) ratio and DEL concentration ranging from 0.01 mg/L to 40.0 mg/L (R2 = 0.9944). The limit of detection was determined to be 1.34 µg/L. The recoveries in actual samples ranged from 98.5% to 109.0%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) below 7.5%. Additionally, we utilized the XGBoost algorithm to establish a DEL prediction model, achieving an accuracy of 95.7%. The recoveries ranged from 96.0% to 102.4%, with a RSD below 5.5%. Overall, the proposed MF-sensor, enhanced by the XGBoost algorithm, was successfully utilized for the detection of DEL in environmental and aquatic products.

Water-Soluble Quantum Dots for Inkjet Printing Color Conversion Films with Simultaneous High Efficiency and Stability.

Water-soluble quantum dots (QDs) are necessary to prepare patterned pixels or films for high-resolution displays with less environmental burden but are very limited by the trade-off between photoluminescence and stability of QDs. In this work, we proposed synthesizing water-soluble QDs with simultaneous excellent luminescence properties and high stability by coating the amphiphilic poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene)-ethanol amine (PMAO-EA) polymer on the surface of silane-treated QDs. These coated QDs show a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) as high as 94%, and they have good photoluminescence stability against light irradiation and thermal attacks, owing to the suppression of the nonradiative recombination by the polymer layer and the isolation of oxygen and water by the silica layer. The water-soluble QDs, mixed with ethylene glycol, enable inkjet printing of QD color conversion films (QD-CCFs) with an average diameter of 68 μm for each pixel and a high PLQY of 91%. The QD-CCFs are demonstrated to fabricate red-emitting mini-LEDs by combining with blue mini-LED chips, which have an external quantum efficiency as high as 25.86% and a luminance of 2.44 × 107 cd/m2. We believe that the proposed strategy is applicable to other water-soluble QDs and paves an avenue for inkjet printing environmentally friendly QD-CCFs for mini/micro-LED displays.

Unveiling the influence of MTMS:TEOS ratios in silica layer membranes enhanced by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

Silica-based thin-layer membranes, meticulously coated on alumina tubes, were synthesized from methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), which were further modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and subsequently deployed for the brine desalination. Comprehensive characterization of the membrane materials was conducted employing Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry, Gas Sorption Analysis (GSA), Thermogravimetric Analysis combined with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA-DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and an optical tensiometer. A detailed investigation was executed on the effects of varying MTMS:TEOS mole ratios, 10:90 (STL-1), 25:75 (STL-2), 50:50 (STL-3), 75:25 (STL-4), and 90:10 (STL-5), elucidating their impact on the structural attributes and functionalities of silica. These parameters were subsequently correlated with their respective desalination efficacies. The FTIR analysis underscored an evident association between the escalation in cyclic siloxane and methyl groups vis-à-vis increasing MTMS concentrations. An elevated MTMS content conferred the silica matrix with diminished porosity, augmented thermal resilience, a more refined surface, and pronounced hydrophobicity, albeit at the cost of reduced surface area and pore volume. Remarkably, the STL-5 silica membrane manifested optimum desalination metrics, boasting a salt rejection percentage of 99.99 % and a water flux rate of 5.61 kg m−2 h−1, thereby accentuating the intrinsic trade-off existing between salt rejection and water flux.

TEM and zeta potential titration as suitable techniques for investigating the joining of modified ceramic surfaces

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM-EDS) and Zeta potential titration of ceramic surfaces allowed researchers to go inside their adhesion mechanism when joined with an adhesive. The case study concerned the plasma Corona treatment to improve the joint strength between SiC surfaces joined with an epoxy adhesive. The formidable mechanical and chemical properties inherent to silicon carbide pose challenges in applying conventional methods like mechanical machining and wet etching for surface texturing. Exploring alternative strategies, plasma Corona treatment which is an Atmospheric Pressure Plasmas (APPs) process emerges as a potential solution. The mechanism of chemical interaction and mechanical interlocking between plasma-treated surfaces and the epoxy adhesive used for the joining was never explored in detail and proven. The presence of layers with different crystallographic natures and chemical compositions was assessed by TEM-EDS: an amorphous silica layer was produced by the corona activation treatment and it created a mechanical anchoring system when penetrated by the adhesive. The zeta potential titration as a function of pH evidenced that untreated SiC had a surface with amphoteric functional groups, while the Corona treatment induced the formation of surface functional groups (OH) with a strong acidic behavior on SiC. The investigated epoxy adhesive exposed a prevalence of basic amino groups. Zeta potential titration curves highlighted the chemical interaction between the treated SiC surfaces and the epoxy adhesive: the large electrostatic attraction between the OH groups of the treated SiC and the amino groups of the epoxy adhesive had a role in the mechanical strength of the joining. TEM and Zeta potential titration can be proposed as suitable techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of the plasma corona discharge system in modifying the surface of SiC and to solidify its standing in comparison to other established surface modification techniques to improve SiC-based joints.

Exploring non-stoichiometric SiOx thin film for non-volatile memory application

This article explores the electrical performance of capacitive memory and resistive switching (RS) devices based on thin films of a single active layer of Silicon oxide (SiOx). The fabricated device Au/SiOx/p-Si displayed frequency-dependent characteristics ranging from 200 kHz to 1 MHz w.r.t capacitance. The charge trapping nature was also investigated, which revealed a charge storage density (N) of order 1010 cm−2 and a low trapping density of interface (Dit) ∼2.65 × 1011 eV−1 cm−2. Furthermore, the device exhibits bipolar RS behavior while maintaining a stable endurance for 1000 DC sweeping cycles and a good retention period of > 103 s. The major pathway of the conduction mechanism in these devices is attributed to the accumulation of oxygen vacancies near the Au/SiOx interface. The conduction in this device is predominantly governed by trap-mediated space-charge-limited current (SCLC) and ohmic conductions.

Optimized film thicknesses for maximum refractive index sensitivity and figure of merit of a bimetallic film surface plasmon resonance sensor

In this paper, a simple surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical sensor with a bimetallic gold-silver film is proposed and its parameters are optimized based on reflectance spectra analysis. In comparison with most SPR sensors, which use single gold films, the evanescent field of this bimetallic configuration at the analyte–metal interface enables the sensing with substantially enhanced refractive index (RI) sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM). The proposed structure comprising a BK7 glass substrate, an adhesion layer of chromium, a gold-silver plasmonic layer, and a protective layer of silicon dioxide is employed in the Kretschmann configuration for liquid analyte sensing. In order to achieve the best sensing properties, the gold-silver layer thickness ratio is varied, and a thorough analysis of reflectance spectra is performed based on RI sensitivity and FOM. For this purpose, a liquid analyte of aqueous solutions of NaCl is employed for angles of incidence 63∘\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^\\circ $$\\end{document} and 64∘\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^\\circ $$\\end{document}, respectively. Moreover, based on the analysis, an optimized gold-silver layer thickness ratio is selected, and a sensitivity of 41,592 nm per RI unit (RIU) and FOM of 424 RIU-1\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$^{-1}$$\\end{document} are reached. The designed bimetallic SPR structure proves to be advantageous compared to single-gold-film structures employed for sensing applications.

Enhancement of mechanical and thermal properties of carbon fiber phenolic resin composites using silicon carbide filler for thermal protection system applications

Thermal protection systems (TPS) are vital for re-entry vehicles for their safe passage into the atmosphere from space. Hence, researchers took a keen interest in improving the thermal and ablative properties of composites to be used in making thermal protection systems. Therefore, an attempt was made to improve the thermal and ablative properties of composites made of carbon fibers (Cf) and resorcinol formaldehyde phenolic (Ph) resin with the incorporation of silicon carbide (SiC) particles. The filler was added in various percentages (0 wt% - blank, 1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 5 wt%), and the composites were tested for ablative, thermal and mechanical properties. The results demonstrate that the SiC-modified PAN-based carbon fiber reinforced phenolic (SiC-PANCf-Ph) composite with 3 wt% SiC enhancement exhibited ideal properties. The post-ablation phase composition and microstructure were examined through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The surface morphology evidences the formation of a silicon dioxide (SiO2) layer on the composites. The SiC-PANCf-Ph composites demonstrated the lowest ablation rate, enhancing their potentiality for effective TPS applications.

Nanoscale, surface-confined phase separation by electron beam induced oxidation.

Electron-assisted oxidation of Co-Si-based focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) materials is shown to form a 2-4 nm metal oxide surface layer on top of an electrically insulating silicon oxide layer less than 10 nm thick. Differences between thermal and electron-induced oxidation on the resulting microstructure are illustrated.

Evaluation of Heat Dissipation Efficiency in Rectangular Heat Sinks with Ceramic Coating across Different Base Materials

The design of the heating system is critical in achieving optimal thermal efficiency. Solid Works, a well-known design software, was used to meticulously create heat sink fins in both rectangular and square designs. The company’s choice strikes a good balance between practical manufacture and outstanding heat dissipation. When the design was complete, a modification process was performed to boost their efficiency. The heat fins were coated with a thin layer of SiO2 thermal coating that was precisely 0.25 mm thick. Heat is effectively transferred away from the electronic components because to the remarkable thermal properties of this silicon dioxide layer. Aluminum alloy (Al-alloy) and copper alloy (Cu-alloy). The thermal characteristics of the two materials vary. It is anticipated that performance would change upon merging with the SiO2 layer, defining the conditions for a comparative analysis. ANSYS Workbench ® was used to analyze and objectively assess the performance of many heat sink designs that differed. The whole temperature distribution and heat flow of the settings two critical factors that determine the effectiveness heat management in thermal systems would be shown by this sophisticated instrument.

Towards a better understanding of the effect of protein conditioning layers on microbial adhesion: a focused investigation of fibronectin and bovine serum albumin layers on SiO2 surfaces.

The interaction of foreign implants with their surrounding environment is significantly influenced by the adsorption of proteins on the biomaterial surfaces, playing a role in microbial adhesion. Therefore, understanding protein adsorption on solid surfaces and its effect on microbial adhesion is essential to assess the associated risk of infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of conditioning by fibronectin (Fn) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein layers of silica (SiO2) surfaces on the adhesion and detachment of two pathogenic microorganisms: Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1-Tn7-gfp and Candida albicans CIP 48.72. Experiments are conducted under both static and hydrodynamic conditions using a shear stress flow chamber. Through the use of very low wall shear stresses, the study brings the link between the static and dynamic conditions of microbial adhesion. The results reveal that the microbial adhesion critically depends on: (i) the presence of a protein layer conditioning the SiO2 surface, (ii) the type of protein and (iii) the protein conformation and organization in the conditioning layer. In addition, a very distinct adhesion behaviour of P. aeruginosa is observed towards the two tested proteins, Fn and BSA. This effect is reinforced by the amount of proteins adsorbed on the surface and their organization in the layer. The results are discussed in the light of atomic force microscopy analysis of the organization and conformation of proteins in the layers after adsorption on the SiO2 surface, as well as the specificity in bacterial behaviour when interacting with these protein layers. The study also demonstrates the very distinctive behaviours of the prokaryote P. aeruginosa PAO1-Tn7-gfp compared to the eukaryote C. albicans CIP 48.72. This underscores the importance of considering species-specific interactions between the protein conditioning layer and different pathogenic microorganisms, which appear crucial in designing tailored anti-adhesive surfaces.

Multi-responsive Pickering emulsifiers: a comprehensive study on the emulsification-demulsification behavior of modified chitosan-coated Fe3O4 nanocomposites.

The surface characteristics of stimuli-responsive Pickering emulsifiers can be modified by external environmental triggers, making them highly versatile in various applications. In this study, we report three novel organic-inorganic composite structure emulsifiers. These emulsifiers were designed with a core of magnetic Fe3O4 particles, surrounded by a protective silica layer, and coated on the exterior with three distinct types of modified chitosan (CS). Experimental results demonstrate that these emulsifiers can stabilize emulsion systems consisting of liquid paraffin and deionized water at a concentration of 0.5 wt%. The unique properties of the modified CS coatings allowed for the controlled demulsification of two types of emulsions by adjusting the proton concentration. Additionally, these emulsifiers exhibited magnetic-responsive demulsification under the control of an external magnetic field. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the design and construction of multi-responsive chitosan-based magnetic Pickering emulsifiers with controllable properties.

Mechanistic insights into the co-recovery of nickel and iron via integrated carbon mineralization of serpentinized peridotite by harnessing organic ligands.

The rising need to produce a decarbonized supply chain of energy critical metals with inherent carbon mineralization motivates advances in accelerating novel chemical pathways in a mechanistically-informed manner. In this study, the mechanisms underlying co-recovery of energy critical metals and carbon mineralization by harnessing organic ligands are uncovered by investigating the influence of chemical and mineral heterogeneity, along with the morphological transformations of minerals during carbon mineralization. Serpentinized peridotite is selected as the feedstock, and disodium EDTA dihydrate (Na2H2EDTA·2H2O) is used as the organic ligand for metal recovery. Nickel extraction efficiency of ∼80% and carbon mineralization efficiency of ∼73% is achieved at a partial pressure of CO2 of 50 bars, reaction temperature of 185 °C, and 10 hours of reaction time in 2 M NaHCO3 and 0.1 M Na2H2EDTA·2H2O. Extensive magnesite formation is evidence of the carbon mineralization of serpentine and olivine. An in-depth investigation of the chemo-morphological evolution of the CO2-fluid-mineral system during carbon mineralization reveals several critical stages. These stages encompass the initial incongruent dissolution of serpentine resulting in a Si-rich amorphous layer acting as a diffusion barrier for Mg2+ ions, subsequent exfoliation of the silica layer to expose unreacted olivine, and the concurrent formation of magnesite. Organic ligands such as Na2H2EDTA·2H2O aid the dissolution and formation of magnesite crystals. The organic ligand exhibits higher stability for Ni-complex ions than the corresponding divalent metal carbonate. The buffered environment also facilitates concurrent mineral dissolution and carbonate formation. These two factors contribute to the efficient co-recovery of nickel with inherent carbon mineralization to produce magnesium carbonate. These studies provide fundamental insights into the mechanisms underlying the co-recovery of energy critical metals with inherent carbon mineralization which unlocks the value of earth abundant silicate resources for the sustainable recovery of energy critical metals and carbon management.